Traveling hydraulic mine roof propping apparatus



Oct 1967 G. DOMMANN ETAL 3,347,050

TRAVELING HYDRAULIC MINE ROOF PROPPING APPARATUS Filed May 10, 1965 INVE N TOPS G'mber fiommann BY Manfred F/'zer United States Patent 3,347,050 TRAVELING HYDRAULIC MINE ROOF PRGPPING APPARATUS Giinther Dommann, Bergrat, Altlunen, Westphalia, and

Manfred Fliiter, Lnnen, Westphalia, Germany, assignors to Gewerkschaft Eisenhutte Westphalia, Wetlnnar, near Lnnen, Westphalia, Germany, a corporation of Germany Fiied May 10, 1965, Ser. No. 454,302 Claims priority, application Germany, May 11, 1964, G 40,571 8 Qlaims. (Cl. 61-45) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This specification discloses a mine roof propping apparatus having an articulatable cap member and at least two propping members, wherein one of the propping members is substantially rigidly connected to the base and is substantially non-articulatable along its length, except, however, that it is, or may be, pivotally attached to the cap member, and at least one other prop member which is articulatably attached to the cap member and is articulatable along its length at a point about midway its length. In a preferred embodiment, there are provided two propping bases, one of which bases carries the relatively rigid propping member and the articulatable propping member, and the other of which bases carries a substantially linear rigid propping member. In this preferred embodiment, the cap member is articulatable between the two linear rigid propping members. In a most preferred embodiment, the two base members are connected together by means of leaf springs in substantially parallel relationship to each other and pivotally connected to the base members.

This invention relates in general to mine roof propping equipment, and more particularly to a hydraulically operable mine roof propping apparatus, commony designated as a prop frame, which is adapted to be positioned along a mine floor by external means to support selected overlying roof areas.

In travelling hydraulic prop frames of the prior art, a plurality of props have been made to act successively upon a train of prop caps. In the case of the so-called chock props, it is furthermore a prior art procedure to use a four-prop block having rigidly mounted props, each pair of props carrying in tandem a cap member which is articulated to a cantilever cap member, which is in turn supported by a prop disposed directly behind a mineral removal conveyor so as to leave a gangway space between the block and the conveyor. Thus, viewing such a prop frame sideways, there were three props standing one behind the other, acting together upon a train of cap members connected in tandem. Ordinarily in such arrangements, the front prop was provided with a certain tilt capability, since it was not rigidly clamped to the same base member as were the two rear props, which were rigidly and fixedly connected to a separate base or chock member. In such an arrangement, when the cap members were lowered by retracting the upper rams of the hydraulic props, the proportion of total cap member weight borne by each of the upper prop rams was generally diiferent in each case. Normally, the prop that was attached nearest to the articulation joint between the cap members was the prop that had to bear the least weight. In such prior art propping frames, this was the middle prop because the long, overhanging forward end of the 3,347,650 Patented Oct. 17, 1967 cantilevered cap members tended to lift the rear end thereof and thus relieve the load upon the middle prop.

In lowering the cap members, which were in operative engagement with the upper rams of the props, generally the descent of these upper rams was unequal so as to cause the cap members to articulate into various angular positions relative to each other, thereby necessitating that the props be provided in their mounting to their respective base members with corresponding angular movement capabilities. It is therefore, known in the prior art to provide such angular movement capability by fastening the hydraulic props to their respective base members in such a manner that they can perform these angular movements, rather than installing the props rigidly upon their base members.

In the case of thick mining seams which require props having relatively long effective propping lengths, this sort of mounting to base members is undesirable since there is no assurance that at least one rigidly installed prop will be available to maintain the entire propping frame always aligned with the bedding.

It is the purpose of the invention, therefore, to find a prop frame arrangement whereby it will be possible on the one hand to assure the alignment of the entire set of props and cap members with the bedding by means of rigidly installed props, and on the other hand to permit the cap members to perform adequate angular movements in relation to one another without producing any jamming or straining. The invention solves this problem by dividing at least one prop on each train of cap mem bers by an articulate connection joint, said joint being disposed to divide the prop at approximately the midpoint of its maximum effective propping length. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is directed to a chock prop system, this articulately divided prop is the rear most prop of each train of cap members.

According to another feature of the invention, the front props of the chock base are rigidly installed in a box frame in the conventional manner, with the rear props being installed with their lower portion also rigidly held, but with the articulatable upper portion of these rear props being articulately connected to the rigidly held lower portion.

The division of at least one of the prop means by an articulation joint makes it possible for the prop ram heads to perform certain movements without straining the prop mounts, and thus for the cap member movements to be transmitted to the props without strain.

Basically the same potential difiiculties are presented between the front props of the block base member and the commonly designated lead props which are mounted to a separate base member operatively connected with the block base member and located just behind the mineral conveyor. These lead props which are mounted on a base member which is joined to the main block base member either by the advancing cylinders, or by other coupling means, are provided with adequate freedom of movement in relation to the main block props because of the flexibility in the coupling between the lead prop base member and the main block base member. The lead props are maintained in an approximately perpendicular alignment to the mine floor bedding by means of their operative connection to the cap members, and the coupling means connecting the lead prop base member to the main block base member which carries at least one rigidly mounted prop.

According to another feature of the invention, the coupling between the main block base member and the lead pro-p base member is so constructed that the lead props are able to move vertically within a limited range in relation to the props on the main block base member.

This aligned lead prop movement capability is provided by operatively connecting the lead prop base member to the main block base member by a pair of parallelly disposed leaf spring bars, each of these spring bars being pivotally connected at its extremities to said base members to provide a parallelogram linkage coupling therebetween. By reason of this parallelogram guidance, the lead prop cannot perform tilting movements, but only movements in the direction normal to the plane of the main block base member, such as it has to perform in order to be able to slide over irregularities in the mine floor.

According to another feature of the invention, a multiarticular division of one of the props is provided wherein only one articulation joint is effective at any given time. The purpose of this multi-articular division is to permit the eifective position of the articulation joint in this prop to be shifted lengthwise as expedient in a particular application of the prop frame of the invention.

Essentially, the travelling mine roof propping apparatus of the instant invention utilizes a base means which can be in the form of a lead prop base member and a main block base member operatively connected therewith, said base means being adapted for slidable positioning on a mine floor under the influence of external pushing or pulling means, with the two base members being operatively connected for simultaneous positioning movement upon the mine floor.

A lead propping means, which can be in the form of one or more parallelly connected hydraulic props operable in unison, is operatively connected with the lead prop base member, preferably by means of a rigid, fixed connection thereto.

This lead prop or props, like the other props used in the apparatus of the invention, are preferably conventional props of the telescoping cylinder and piston ram type, which can be selectively adjusted hydraulically in ettective propping length within a limited range along a linear path corresponding to the line of relative movement between the ram and Cylinder.

A second propping means, which can be also in the form of one or more parallelly connected hydraulic props operable in unison, is operatively connected with the main block base member, preferably by a rigid, fixed connection thereto, and is likewise capable of selective adjustment in effective propping length within a limited range along a similarly defined path.

A third propping means, which can be also in the form of similarly arranged, parallelly connected hydraulic props operable in unison, is articulately connected with the main block base member, but not necessarily directly thereto. This third propping means like the first and second is likewise capable of selective adjustment in its effective propping length within a limited range along a similarly defined path which is not necessarily fixed in relation to the main block base member, but can be generally inclined thereto corresponding to the relative articulate position of this propping means with respect to said base member.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, two cap members articulately connected to each other and disposed in elevated spaced relation to both base members, are provided for engaging selected portions of the overlying mine roof area to support same. One of these cap members, the lead cap, is disposed in operative engagement, such as by a pin connection or by a post and socket type connection, with the lead prop means. The other cap member, the follower cap, is disposed in operative engagement, either by pin connections or by post and socket connections, with both the second and third prop means.

Such a cap member and prop means arrangement according to the invention permits the cap members to be positioned by the combined action of the lead, second and third prop means in elevation relative to the base member and hence with respect to the mine floor, and also to be partitioned articulately thereby with respect to each other and with respect to the three individual prop means. Thus, by selectively adjusting the effective propping lengths of thevarious prop means, these cap members can be placed into positions of supporting engagement with selected overlying mine roof portions. For example, the lead cap can be raised to support a corresponding roof portion, while the follower cap is articulated out of contact, and thus supporting engagement with its corresponding roof portion. Conversely, the follower cap can be raised to support its corresponding overlying roof portion while the lead cap is articulated. out of contact and hence out of supporting engagement with its corresponding overlying roof portion. Also, both the lead cap and the follower cap can be raised for simultaneously supporting their respective corresponding roof portions.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the second prop means, which is in operative engagement with the follower cap member at a location thereon closer to its articulate connection to the lead cap member, is mounted to the main block base memher in a substantially rigid manner, and is preferably disposed so as to be normally perpendicular to the mine floor. The third prop means is preferably disposed in spaced-apart relation to said second prop means and is similarly in operative engagement with the follower cap member at a position thereon spaced behind that of the second prop means.

By reason of this cap member and prop means arrangement, the elevation of the lead and follower cap members with respect to the base members, and their relative articulate position is dependent upon the effective propping lengths of the lead and second prop means, and upon both the effective propping length and the articulate position of the third prop means with respect to the main block base member.

To meet the needs of a particularmine roof propping application, the elevation of the articulate connection of the third prop means with the main block base member can be selectively varied stepwise in accordance with the invention by constructing the third prop means in the form of a plurality of superposed hydraulic actuators operatively connected one to another in tandem. At least one pair of actuators, and preferably all of such interconnected actuators are articulately connected, with the lowermost actuator being operatively and preferably articulately connected with the main block base member, and the uppermost actuator being disposed in operative engagement with the follower cap member.

By providing lateral support means, such as a box frame, all of the actuators below a selected articulation joint can be constrained in fixed lateral relation to the second prop means, and by providing additional constraint means, such as removable collars, all of the actuators above such selected articulation joint can be constrained for effective propping action along a path colinear with that of the uppermost actuator. In effect, such an arrangement provides the equivalent of a lower actuator which is fixedly and rigidly connected to the main block base member and disposed in fixed alignment with the second prop means, and an upper actuator which is articulately connected to the lower fixedly disposed actuator at an axis of articulation elevated a selected corresponding distance above the main block base member, said upper, actuator being disposed in operative engagement with the follower cap member.

It is therefore, an object of the invention to provide a travelling mine roof propping apparatus which is capable of supporting selected overlying mine roof areas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid that is capable of performing such mine roof support without transmittingexcessive bending stresses to any of the propping means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid which is adaptable to be positioned upon a normally irregular mine floor.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid having articulately connected tandem cap members which can be articulately positioned and elevated by hydraulic prop means to support normally irregular mine roofs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid wherein at least one cap member can be maintained in roof supporting engagement under all normal operating conditions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid having a lead cap and associated prop means which is supported upon a separate base member which is flexibly connected with the base member supporting the other prop means.

Still another and further object of the invention is to provide a mine roof propping apparatus as aforesaid wherein the lead prop means and its supporting base member are constrained for limited displacement along a fixed path relative to the other prop means and their supporting base member.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing in which:

The figure of drawing is a schematic side elevation View, partly in section, of a travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawing, the travelling mine roof propping apparatus A is provided with a main block base member B which supports a front prop means 1 and a rear prop means 3 which are combined by means of operative connections to a box frame 4 into a main propping unit 2.

As in the prior art, the front prop means 1 is clamped fairly rigidly in the box 4, and is fixedly and rigidly connected to the main block base member B by any suitable conventional means (not shown). The rear prop means 3 however is articulately connected with the box 4 and base member B by means of an articulation joint 5 which is disposed in an elevated position above the base member B. The rear prop means 3 is preferably constructed so that the articulation axis of the joint 5 is disposed a distance above the base member B which is approximately equal to the one-half of the maximum effective propping length of said prop means 3.

Preferably both of the prop means 1 and 3, but particularly the rear prop means 3 have in their lower portions a multiple division in such a manner that a plurality of propping section members 6 equal to one another in effective propping length are disposed in superposed relation to one another and operatively connected to one another in tandem by means of articulated couplings 7, 7a and 7b, so as to provide a plurality of available articulation axes for said propping means 3. For example, the propping means 3 can be a hydraulic propping means 3 comprising a plurality of hydraulic actuators 6 disposed in superposed elevated relation to the base member B and 0peratively connected to one another in tandem by means of articulated couplings 7, 7a and 7b, with one of said actuators specifically the actuator 60 being articulately connected to an adjacent actuator 6b for articulation about an axis 8 disposed at a fixed distance above the base member B, this distance corresponding to the sum of the effective lengths of the actuators 6a and 6b.

The lowermost actuator 6a is operatively connected and preferably articulately connected to the base member B, and the uppermost actuator 6c is disposed in operative engagement with the follower cap member 16.

Means in the form of the box frames 4a and 4b are provided for supporting the actuators 6a and 6b which are disposed below the articulate connection axis 8 in laterally fixed relation to the front propping means 1,

said box frames 4a and 4b being disposed in operative engagement with the actuators 6a and 6b respectively and operatively connected with the front propping means 1.

Lateral constraint means in the form of collar fastening members 9 which are removable, are provided to eliminate the effect of the articulate coupling between the actuators 6a and 6b in the cases as exemplified by the drawing wherein said actuators 6a and 6b are to be connected together in fixed relation to the base member B and the front propping means 1 so as to be equivalent to a single actuator (not shown) which is rigidly connected with the base member B. For example, in the case where it is desired to shift the articulation axis 8 downward to coincide with the articulation joint between the actuators 6a and 6b, the box frame 4b is removed, and a collar 9 is placed in operative engagement between the actuators 6b and 60 so as to eliminate the effect of the articulate coupling 7b so that the actuators 6b and 60 can perform as a single actuator (not shown) which is articulately connected to the end of the actuator 6a. In such case, the constraining collar 9 which in FIG. 1 is shown as being disposed in operative engagement between the actuators 6a and 6b is removed.

Where it is desired that the propping means 3 be articulately connected directly to the base member B, both box frames 4a and 4b are removed, and the constraining collar 9 between the articulately connected end of the actuator 6a and the base member B is removed, and the articulate connection joints 7a and 7b between the actuators 6a and 6b, and 6b and 6c are rendered ineffective by placing the constraining collars in operative engagement thereover. In this manner it is possible to adapt the propping apparatus A and in particular the propping means 3 to any required mine seam thickness.

Between the main prop unit 2 and the lead prop means 19 which bears the lead cap 11, which is in turn supported upon a lead prop base member 12, a paralleleogram linkage type coupling is provided in the form of a pair of parallelly disposed leaf spring bars 14, each of which are pivotally connected to the base members 12 and B by means of pivot pins 14. This parallelogram coupling provided by the spring bars 13 makes it possible for the prop means 1 and lead prop means 10 to perform parallel movements in relation to one another. This assures that the prop means 1 which is actually the middle propping means as between the lead prop means 10 and the rear prop means 3, will, because of their rigid mounting to the base member B, be always properly aligned in parallel relation to the lead prop means 10, and will be aligned normally perpendicular with respect to the mine floor G, so as to hold the lead prop means 10 and rear prop means 3 in an appropriate position to accommodate irregularities in the mine floor G or in the mine roof R, and to assure that when the individual prop means 1, 3 and 10 are lowered there will be no bending stresses transmitted to any of said prop means 1, 3 and 10.

For example, if the prop means 1 and 3 of the propping unit 2 are lowered, the lead prop means 10 being tensed to urge the lead cap member 11 against the mine roof R, and accordingly hold the cap joint 15 against said roof R, the weight of the follower cap member 16 will therefore bear more heavily on the rear prop means 3 than on the front prop means 1. The rear prop means 3 therefore will retract more rapidly, whereupon the prop head 17 of said prop means 3 will move on an arcuate path about the cap joint 15. Due to the articulation about the axis 8, these movements can take place without strain. In the case of prior art prop frame designs, cross stresses were frequently produced on the cap support props since they could not retract by themselves, thereby resulting in damage to the props.

We claim:

1. A travelling mine roof propping apparatus comprising a base means having at least two propping members extending therefrom and a capping means operatively associated with and connected to said propping means; wherein at least one of said propping members is substantially non-articulatable along the length thereof, is rigidly attached to said base means and is pivotally connected at one end thereof with said capping means; and wherein at least one of said propping members is pivotally connected to said capping means at one end thereof,.is rigidly attached to said base means at least one end thereof, and is articulatableat a point along its length of about midway between the ends thereof.

2. A travelling mine comprises a base means adapted to be positioned upon a mine floor, said base means including a first base member and a second base member operatively connected with said first base member, a first propping means fixedly and rigidly connected to said first base member, said first propping means being selectively adjustable in effective propping length within a limited range along a first path, a second propping means fixedly and rigidly connected to said second base member, said second propping means being selectively adjustable in effective propping length within a limited range along a second path, a third propping means connected with said second base member, and articulatable at a point about midway between the ends thereof said third propping means being selectively adjustable in effective propping length along a third path, a first cap member disposed in elevated spaced relation to said base means, a second cap member disposed in elevated spaced relation to said .base means and articulately connected to said first cap member, said first cap member being disposed in operative engagement with said first propping means, and said second cap member being disposed in operative engagement with said second and third propping means for positioning said first and second cap members in elevation relative to said base means and in articulation relative to each other by said first, second and third propping means whereby said first and second cap members can be articulated relative to each other and elevated with respect to said base means into positions of supporting engagement with selected portions of a mine roof by correspondingly adjusting the effective propping lengths of said first, second and third propping means along said first, second and third paths respectively.

3. The travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first and second base members are operatively connected by a pair of parallelly disposed leaf spring bars, each of said spring bars being pivotally connected to said first and second base members to provide a parallelogram linkage coupling therebetween.

4. The travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said first cap member is articulately connected to said first propping means, and said second cap member is articulately connected to said second and third propping means.

5. The travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to claim 2 including a support means disposed in extended relation above said second base member and operatively connected in fixed relation thereto, and wherein said third propping means is articulately connected to said support means for articulation relative thereto about an axis disposed at a selected distance above said second base member.

6. The travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said third propping means is articulately connected to said support means for articulation relative thereto about an axis disposed at a distance above said second base member which is approximately equal to one-half of the maximum effective propping length of said third propping means.

roof propping apparatus, which i 7. A travelling mine roof propping apparatus which comprises a base means adapted to be positioned upon a mine floor, said base means including a first base member and a second base member operatively connected with said first base member, a first hydraulic propping means fixedly and rigidly connected to said first base member, said propping means being hydraulically adjustable in efiective propping length within a limited range along a first path, a second hydraulic propping means fixedly and rigidly connected to said second base member, said second propping means being hydraulically adjustable in effective propping length within a limited range along a second path, a third hydraulic propping means operatively connected to said second base member,,said third hydraulic propping means being hydraulically adjustable in effective propping length within a limited range along a third path and articulately movable in relation to i said second base member about an axis of articulation disposed at a selected distance thereabove, a first cap member disposed in elevated spaced relation to said first and second base members, a second cap member disposed in elevated spaced relation to said first and second base members and articulately connected to said first cap member, said first cap member being disposed in op-. erative engagement with said first propping means, and said second cap membcr'being disposed in operative engagement with said second and third propping means for positioning said first and second cap members in elevation relative to said first and second base members, and for articulately positioning saidfirst and second cap members relative to each other whereby said first and second cap members can be positioned in elevated relation to said base members and articulated relative to each other to supportingly engage selected portions of a mineroof by correspondingly adjusting the effective propping lengths of said first, second and third hydraulic propping means along said first, second and third paths respectively.

8. The travelling mine roof propping apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said third hydraulic propping means includes a plurality of hydraulic actuators disposed in superposed elevated relation to said second base member and opertatively connected to one another in tandem, one of said actuators being articulately connected to an adjacent actuator about an axis of articulation disposed at a fixed distance above said second base member,

with the lowermost of said actuators being operatively connected to said second base member, and the uppermost of said actuators being disposed in operative engagea ment with said second cap member, and including means for supporting all of said actuators disposed below saidi articulate connection axis in laterally fixed relation to said second propping means, said lateral supporting means being disposed in operative engagement with said actuators 1 disposed below said articulation axis and operatively connected with said second propping means, and lateral constraint means disposed in operative engagement between each pair of adjacent actuators above said articulation axis to constrain each of said actuators above said articulation axis for effective propping action substantially colinear with that of the uppermost actuator.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,197,966 8/1965 Arnott 6 l45.2

FOREIGN PATENTS 845,302 8/ 1960 Great Britain.

ERNEST R. PURSER, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,347,050 October 17, 1967 Giinther Dommann et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column], line 9, after "means at" insert at column 8, line 42, for "opertatively" read operatively Signed and sealed this 12th day of November 1968.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A TRAVELLING MINE ROOF PROPPING APPARATUS COMPRISING A BASE MEANS HAVING AT LEAST TWO PROPPING MEMBERS EXTENDING THEREFROM AND A CAPPING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH AND CONNECTED TO SAID PROPPING MEANS; WHEREIN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PROPPING MEMBERS IS SUBSTANTIALLY NON-ARTICULATABLE ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, IS RIGIDLY ATTACHED TO SAID BASE MEANS AND IS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED AT ONE END THEREOF WITH SAID CAPPING MEANS; AND WHEREIN AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PROPPING MEMBERS IS PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID CAPPING MEANS AT ONE END THEREOF, IS RIGIDLY ATTACHED TO SAID BASE MEANS AT LEAST ONE END THEREOF, AND IS ARTICULATABLE AT A POINT ALONG ITS LENGTH OF ABOUT MIDWAY BETWEEN THE ENDS THEREOF. 